Shotkickers announces expansion with a new front bar and smoking area, launching early 2025.
Shotkickers is set to expand with the addition of a new front bar and smoking area, expected to open in early 2025. The venue has taken on the lease of the neighbouring space, formerly occupied by Dean’s Picture Framing, and plans to reunite the two buildings, which were adjoined decades ago but later separated.
The expansion will see the existing Shotkickers venue become a dedicated band room, while the new building will house a front bar. The new space will feature DJs on weekends, a pool table, full dinner service, trivia nights, and a smoking area off the footpath.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Shotkickers has raised over half of the funds required to complete the project but is seeking additional support to meet its goal. The venue has faced challenges similar to those experienced by other small venues, with rising costs in alcohol, public liability insurance, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis leading to a decline in bar sales. Despite these difficulties, the team at Shotkickers sees this expansion as a way to extend their hospitality to the broader Northside community.
The new bar will include Shotties Saloon Kitchen, with plans to offer lunch and afternoon hangouts, alongside natural light-filled spaces. This pivot is intended to help fund Shotkickers’ passion for discovering and promoting local and interstate bands, as well as showcasing acts from around Australia and abroad. Minor alterations will also be made to the band room to improve the experience for visitors during busy nights, but the original Shotkickers will largely remain unchanged.
To support the expansion, Shotkickers has launched a campaign offering rewards for pledgers, including:
- Two limited-edition venue t-shirts, designed by poster artist Jase Harper.
- Shotkickers Live Mixtape VOL 1, curated by in-house sound/lighting expert Rosie Excess, featuring performances from previous gigs at the venue (available for pledges of $250 or more, including a digital download code).
- For pledges of $500 or more, supporters can have a brick in the new front bar or smoking area decorated with their name, business name, or band name, in collaboration with local visual artists.
- A poster book featuring all Shotkickers posters designed to date by Jase Harper.
- For pledges of $1000 or more, supporters will receive all rewards, plus 10% off food and drinks at Shotkickers for life.
For pledges larger than $1000, Shotkickers encourages direct contact via [email protected] to arrange suitable rewards.
The expansion is being funded through brand partnerships, which have contributed $250,000 towards the project. The current campaign will help complete the fit-out and open the doors in early 2025.
Find out more here.
